Sunday, October 20, 2013

Sign Up For Those Reward Programs . . . It Can't Hurt!

A couple days ago I stopped off at CVS Pharmacy quickly for one item. At the checkout, the clerk asked if I had a CVS card. I do have one and usually have it ready to go but I was in a hurry and only had one item that I knew didn't have a reduced price and I would have to dig through my purse to find it. I did get it out, though frustratingly, and low and behold under my receipt printed out 6 coupons. (A couple of which I plan on using. But be wise of using coupons. See my post Coupons: Use Wisely)

So my tip for the day is, sign up for any of these programs. Most stores offer them and it doesn't just mean coupons, it usually means extra savings right off the normal price. Why people don't bother with these things is beyond me . . . IT'S FREE SAVINGS. All you have to do is fill out a simple form. And if you don't like carrying cards around, they have little versions for your key-chain which is handy, but if even that annoys you, most places can just type in your phone number associated with the account. (Oh and by free I mean you should never be paying anything to sign up for a rewards program. Those are not worth it.)

Some of My Favorites:
1. Safeway - Tons of savings right off the price. No card, you type in your phone number on the key pad. Look up their coupons online before shopping (or on your smartphone while in the store) and digitally add them to your card.

2. CVS - Tons and tons of coupons. They have a coupon booth where you scan your card and it prints out coupons. Savings on prices. More coupons at checkout, as mentioned above.

3. Petco - Both Petco and Petsmart have these programs but why I like Petco's better is you get a free $5 coupon after $100 spent there. With no buying restrictions, meaning you can buy a $5 bag of cat food, or dog food for those of you, and get it for free -- you don't have to spend a certain amount.*Tip: I don't usually buy pet food at an actual pet store because they hike up the prices more than a regular grocery store and it's easier to just get it at the grocery store anyway. But when I get my $5 coupon, that's what I usually get because it's generally right around that price and I can basically get a free bag of food.